To each, his own. But, your logic would indicate that it is wasteful to recycle, and I completely disagree.

No, that's not what I am saying at all. Of course it's better to recycle than put usable metal into a landfill. However, it's much more efficient to simply reuse it for the purpose for which it is already perfectly suited with no modification other than to simply clean it a bit.

As a family, we not only do this with brass but with other "disposable" items that can be reused over and over again... water bottles, plastic and heavy styrofoam drink cups from fast food places, sheets of aluminum foil, plastic cutlery, etc. Why throw away (or recycle) stuff that can simply be run through the dishwasher and be as good as new?